At the Trailhead

Tips for greener trails, part 1 of a 3-part series
by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water

Early fall is a great time to hit the trails with cooler temps, fewer bugs and smaller crowds. But even on the trails there are things we horse owners can do to reduce our impact on the environment and take care of the land. Horses for Clean Water recently collaborated with the Snohomish Conservation District (www.snohomishcd.org) to produce a new brochure, Stewards of the Trail, which details ideas for reducing our impact on the urban and suburban land where we ride.

Over the next few months we will highlight some of the information from this brochure. We begin this month with ideas for the start of your ride:

Your Horse
A good trail ride starts with a good horse. Know your horse and be able to anticipate and handle his behaviors. A young horse with a skilled rider can be safely under control, while an older horse with little experience and inadequate horsemanship can be an accident waiting to happen. Accidents happen when a rider tries to force his or her horse through a situation for which the horse is unprepared.

Be sure your horse will stand tied to the trailer, both alone and with other horses. This is necessary so you can properly tack and untack your horse. If your horse paws while tied, he will do damage to the parking area and possibly to your trailer. If he does dig a hole, be sure to fill it before leaving.

Be able to mount and dismount your horse from both sides. If you have to dismount while out on the trail, you may not have an option when it comes time to mount again.

Be sure your horse is properly shod for the conditions of the trail. Broken-down hoof walls and sole bruises can result from improper shoeing.

Be sure your horse has properly fitting tack for the conditions of the trail. A cinch or girth that cuts into a horse’s belly or an ill-fitting saddle can make a horse sore and give him an (understandably!) poor attitude.

Be sure your horse is in good physical shape for the conditions of the trail, such as steep climbs, obstacles, length of the trail and water crossings.

Teach your horse to walk when going up and down hills. An inexperienced horse will want to run, potentially causing erosion. This also isn’t a safe habit for your horse to get into, and walking will help him develop muscle tone and balance.

Know whether your horse will cross obstacles such as a log on the trail or a bridge. Be sure your horse is controllable in case you encounter wild animals, dogs or other trail users.

You
Be prepared for the weather and wear appropriate clothes. Rapid changes in weather can occur, and if you aren’t within distance for a quick return to your vehicle, you could risk getting very cold and/or very wet. Hypothermia can happen quickly, even in the mild Pacific Northwest climate. Consider carrying appropriate rain gear, waterproof gloves and hat, and--especially in the winter--insulated boots. Always carry a coat in case of unexpected bad weather, even in summer.

If you are riding in a hunting area during hunting season or at dusk, be sure to wear blaze-orange reflective gear.

Know the route you are taking, and know when to turn away from unsafe conditions such as deep water or a broken bridge.

Manure Management
Parking lots: Carry a manure fork in your trailer. Take home everything: manure, old hay, spilled bedding. If possible, throw a bucket of water on urine puddles to help dilute it further. Smelly piles of manure and urine attract flies and are not attractive to other riders or users.

On the trail: Teach and then encourage your horses to keep walking when they defecate on the trail. This helps to avoid manure piles. If a group of riders stops for any length of time and there is a buildup of manure, dismount and kick manure around to disperse it.

Next month we will talk about what can be done while you’re on the trail. In November, we’ll finish up with some rules of the road and additional resources. Until then, happy trails!

~Alayne